Afghanistan: "The urgency is to put our compatriots to safety", declares Emmanuel Macron
President Emmanuel Macron during his speech in French on August 16, 2021 © TFI / Screenshot of the internet broadcast
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
After the Taliban seizure of power in Afghanistan, and while thousands of Afghans are trying to flee the country, the French president spoke on Monday August 16.
In his televised address, Emmanuel Macron said that French nationals and Afghans who helped France will be brought to safety.
In addition, two special forces planes will be sent to Afghanistan.
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Chaos reigns in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, a country where the Taliban are back. The American soldiers have left - they only control the Hamid-Karzai airport - President Ashraf Ghani has fled and thousands of Afghans are seeking to leave the territory. The international community, for its part, observes
events with concern
while trying to organize the evacuation of foreign nationals as well as possible.
Faced with this "
extremely serious
" situation in the words of the Elysee, Emmanuel Macron spoke, this Monday, August 16, from Fort Brégançon, in Bormes-les-Mimosas (Var), where he is on vacation. Before speaking to the nation, the President of the Republic took stock at midday during a videoconference Defense Council, in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, participated in particular, and the Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly.
"
A historic turning point is at work in Afghanistan, with major consequences for the entire international community
", declared Emmanuel Macron, because "
after a war of twenty years, after the decision to return the American armies (. ..), Kabul fell into the hands of the Taliban in a few hours
”. On the spot, “
the situation is deteriorating rapidly
”, which “
requires immediate decisions and initiatives
”.
“
The absolute urgency is to bring our compatriots to safety. They must all leave the country, as well as the Afghans who worked for France,
”insisted the Head of State. Evacuations have already started in the previous weeks. "
All Afghan employees of French structures and members of their families have already been welcomed in France,
" he added. This represents “
more than 600 people
”.
In addition, Emmanuel Macron decided to send "
two military planes of our special forces
" to Afghanistan.
They will be “there
in a few hours
”.
Emmanuel Macron insists that the international community speak with one voice and unite soon, so that Afghanistan does not once again become "
a sanctuary for terrorism
".
Speech on the situation in Afghanistan.https: //t.co/LoANcIYqvJ
- Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 16, 2021
► See also: Afghanistan: chaos, confusion and panic at the airport and in Kabul
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